Window assembly



Sept. 11, 1956 .1. SYLVAN WINDOW ASSEMBLY 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 8, 1955 INVENTOR. JOSf/"H 6)! FAN Sept. 11, 1956 J. SYLVAN WINDOW ASSEMBLY 5 Sheets-Sheet- 2 Filed April 8, 1953 INVEN TOR.

JOJZP/l -57! 1 14 gm az. 6' PM United States This invention relates to an improved window assembly.

An object is to provide a window assembly formed primarily of parts built up out of sheet metal and designed to cooperate with the wood structure of a wooden frame work surrounding a window opening. The metal frame assembly is designed to accommodate four sash elements. Three of these sash elements are supported for vertical slidable movement. The fourth sash element, which is the upper inner sash, is designed to be supported in place below the header but is not mounted for slidable movement.

A further object is the provision of a window assembly of the character described wherein the window sash may be readily installed and removed and wherein they form a tight closure preventing passage of air drafts therethrough.

A meritorious feature is the provision of such window assembly wherein the wooden parts immediately around the window opening are protected and enclosed within the metal parts of the window assembly, and wherein a neat and attractive appearance is presented by the entire assembly of the window.

More specifically, the assembly is of such a character that the upper runway for the inner window is removable and replaceable without the use of tools of any kind, and upon its removal the window sashes may be removed and replaced with screen sash or glass sash for the sash in use, as may be desired.

A further meritorious feature is that the upper and lower sashes are not only so supported at the top and bottom and at the sides as to form a tight seal, but the meeting rails are so connected as to provide a tight seal and also prevent unauthorized elevation of the sash to obtain entry into a building through the window openmg.

An advantage of the construction is that the upper inner window is readily removable and replaceable without disassembly of the window frame structure in any way. Such upper inner sash is supported at the top by the window frame header and is supported at the bottom upon the lower inner sash in such manner as to form a tight seal at both top and bottom. It is also drawn, by virtue of its engagement at the top and bottom against the adjacent jamb surfaces so as to form a tight seal along the sides, yet it may be quickly removed when desired.

Other objects, advantages and meritorious features will more fully appear from the following specification, claims and accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is an outer elevation of a window assembly embodying the invention and showing the sashes installed therein;

Fig. 2 is an elevation of the inside of a window assembly embodying the invention showing the sashes installed therein;

atent O Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. l;

Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a perspective of a fragment of the upper corner of the upper inner window and the associated window frame header;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary perspective of associated metal jamb portions showing the mounting of the lower and upper inner runway parts therein;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary elevation partly in section taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 9 is a fragment of the lower corner of the upper inner sash;

Fig. 10 is an elevation of a fragment of the lower corner of the upper inner sash;

Fig. 11 is a perspective of the window frame assembly partly broken away showing the upper half of the inner runway partially removed.

This window assembly is associated with the wooden members of the frame work surrounding the window opening. In such frame work there is a wood header 20 provided with an outer header strip 22 and an inner wood header casing or cap 24. There is a wood sill member 26 and a wood subsill 28 and an inner Wood sill or casing member 29. This wood frame also includes upright opposed complementary wood jamb members 30 having associated therewith and extending therealong an interior wood casing member 32 and an outer wood jamb stop 34. These jamb member assemblies extend between and space the header and the sill members apart. The metal window frame assembly which embodies this invention is secured to these wood structures.

Such metal window frame work comprises a metal header element 36. This header element is channel shaped in cross section and of a size to be received snugly over the wood header 20, as shown in Figs. 5 and 11. This metal header element is formed of a strip of sheet metal. Sheet aluminum or other suitable material may be used. That marginal portion of the header element 36 which forms a continuation of the outer wall of the channel portion which embraces the wood header is folded downwardly upon itself, as shown in Figs. 5 and 11. It extends below the bottom of the channel 36 forming an outer downwardly projecting ledge 38. It is then folded upon itself providing an upwardly open narrow channel.

The channel portion of this ledge or flange 38 is designed to receive one margin of a strip 40 as shown in Fig. 5. This strip 40 is angular in cross section, as shown in such figure, and is folded about the wood element 22 to form a metal sheath thereabout, all as shown in Figure 5.

The opposite side wall of the channel 36 which embraces the wood header 20 is folded downwardly upon itself forming a downwardly opening channel 42. This channel 42 is located within the interior of the building within which the window is installed. This channel 42 receives the flange portion 44 of a header channel as shown in Fig. 5. This header channel is formed of a strip of sheet metal folded upon itself to provide a double flange member 44 just described as received within the channel 42. One fold of this flange 44 is bent angularly with respect thereto as at 46 forming the bottom of the header channel. One side wall 48 of this channel is formed by a continuation of this bottom portion 46, as shown in Figs. 5 and 11.

The other side wall of this header channel is formed by aco'ntinuati'ono f the cooperating fold of the twoply flange 44 and is indicated as "50. Th'i's 's'ide wall50 has a height or depth greater than that of the side wall 48.. 1t isextended downwardly therebeyond and is bent inwardly toward'the'side wa1l"48,'as' shownlinfFi'g. 5. The free margin of this header channel wall-5.0 may be folded over upon itself as at '52. Such jfreei margin is adapted to be received within the upwardly open header sash of'the upper sash element as hereinafter described and as illustrated in 'Fig. 5. This header channel 46 and the header element 36 may be secured to the wood header 2i) bynails'54 or the like," as shown inFig. 5.

The sill portion of this metal frame work comprises a sill member which is channel shaped-in cross section and adapted to be received over the wood sill proper'26, as shown in Figs. 5 and 11. This channel shaped sill r'nernber has'a bottom portion -56 wlr'ich is stepped as at 58 to' provide an outer step and an inner step. This bottom portion 56 is bent downwardly over the outer surface of the wood sill 26 to form an outer side wall 60. This outer side 'wall 60 isfolded upon itself as shown in Figs. 5 and ll. Such bottom portion -56 is also bent upwardly and folded upon itself forming a two-ply inner upwardly projecting sill ledge'62, as shown in Figs. 5 and 11. The marginal ply of this ledge-62 is extendeddownwardly as at .63 to be received between the sub sill member 28 and the sill casing member 29, as shown in Figs. 5 and 11.

The :oppbsed-jamb members of'the metal window frame assembly are complementary, as the jambs themselves are complementary. There is a jamb member which is in the formof an outwardly open channel shape or chair shape in cross section. Such is formed of a strip of metal bent upon itself to define a channel or chair shape form in cross section as shown in Figs. 3, 4, 7 and 11. The outwardly open channel is received over the wood jambfiti as shown in Figs. 3 and 11. Such channel 4 as at 82. This two-ply fold 82 forms the inner side wall'of the inner sash runway. The outer s'ide-wa'llof such inner sash runway is formed by the edge 84 of an inturned marginal portion 86 of the outer side wall 88v of the box like configuration. The bottom of this box like configuration is indicated at 90 and the same .is shown in detail in Figs. 3, 7 and 11.

The inner lower window --sash L92 is vertically slidably mounted the runway formedbetween the twoply ledge 82 and the margin 84 0f the box like configuration. This box-like configuration, which, constitutes the runway for the lower inner ,sash .asjust described, constitutes only the lower'h'alf'of such runway. Actually it constitutesslightly less'ihan the lower half of such runway, as it has a height somewhat less than the height of the lower sash L92 itself. This is for a purpose hereinafter set forth.

The outer side wall 88 of this box like configuration provides the inner side wall of the lower'half of 'th'e'runway for the outer lower sash L94. It cooperates with the ledge 74 which extends throughout 'theh'eightof the window opening and which constitutes the outer side wall of such outer runway; The lower outer sash'L94 is dis posed'for vertical 'slidable movement within such runway is formed by removable upper-runwaystiip 96;

member has a length equal to the distance between the header and the sill members of the window assembly.

The bottom-of the channel member is indicatedas '66. One sidewall of the channel is indicated 38 268 and is folded upon itself as at 70 to form a narrow channel which opens inwardly, of the window opening. Such c'hannelreceives and'supports a flange of a sash runway, as shownin Figs. 3, .4, 7 and 11.

The opposite side wall of the channel is indicated at 7 2. It is formed from a marginal portion of the strip ledge 74 which projects interio'rly of'the window opening forms one side wall of a sash runway, as shown particularly in Fig. 3 and as hereinafter described. This 1 marginal portion of the strip which forms thele'd'ge 74 which, strip is folded uponitself and in the'folding it is "bentto provide a ledge"'74 projecting 'interiorly of the window opening, as shown in Figs. 4 and 7; This one margin 76 of an "angular metal strip orsh'eath78 which partially'encloses the outerwoo'dstop' '34- of-the jamb assembly, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. It was hereinabove stated that the'narrow-channel .opened'inwardly of thewindow openingand formed by the folds 68 and 7,0 of the jamb str ip=received a flange of a sash runway. .Suchsash :runway is shown particularly :in Figs. 3, 4, 7 and 11. lt' com'prises a m-etalstr-"ip bent and folded. upon itself into :'a box {likeconfiguration in cross section provided with-thesupporting flange-here inabove referred to identified as '79. This -fiarnge 7-9 is received between the folds 68 Land 70. iNails-fisflmay be provided extending throughEtheiparts 68 and701and flange 79 into :the wood jainb member 30 as shown i-n Figs. 3and l1, securely fastening such parts together.

This box like runway is itself formedof a strip-of I sheet metal which, as shown inFiigs. 3,4, =7Eand' l1,defines the flange 79; This'flange' is 'fifoided eupon; itself Such'upper runway strip 96 is shown partly removedin Fig. 11. It is shown in position in Figs. 2 and .4. A fragment thereof is shown completely removed and indicated generally by the numeral '96 in Fig. 7.. ---"Such runway strip :has a length or height slightly inexc'ess of the height of an upper sash element whereby-when installediit overlaps slightly the upper end of the lower sash, as shown in Fig. 2. 1

:Such 'vrunway strip has :a flange portion ;98. This 'flangezportion is adapted to be received iwithin'the zupper half :of the narrow channel :formed between .the "parts 68 and 70., asshown in Fig. 1.1. The lower half .ofsuch channel formed :between ithe parts 68 and 70 receives the flange 79 of the box like configuration hereinahove described. This removable runway strip greceiyed within the channel as described retains :its position ithereinby frictional engagement between the parts 68 and 70 :to serve itsfunctionas a runway. The upperend of gsuch runway strip is received within the headerinside .of

-; the.downwar.dly;projecti ng header flange :50, as shown in Fig. 11.

The flange portion 98 is folded .upon itself .to provide arunway .channel having a bottom wall 101, a side wall 102, and a cooperating side wall 104. Theside wall :104 is or (double thickness, asshown in Fig. ,1 .l.' -Ihe channel formedibetween the outer side wall1 0 2 and member side wall '104 of this upper runway strip is of double width- It constitutes, however, a continuation of the lower inner channel'jformed between the sidewall 'SZ'a-nd the 'edgej84 of the box like configuration so as topermit a'window sash to "be raised and lowered. thereto. Theou-ter surface of the outerwall 102-forms the-inner side wall of the outer upper runway channel and'eoop'erat'es'with the'ledge 74 to :form such runway.

These upper inner runway strips 'are adapted to be removably mounted upon the upperhalves df'th'e' jamb members, as shown in Fig.- l1. The inner face of these runway stripsdfine'd by theflange '98 and ifoldefi over extension 104 has a length greater than the r-uniway :portion i'defined :the sidewall 102 and theib'ottom wall 1 21:01, .as shown ,in1Figs..'2;and 1'1.-

'llower porltion projects below the parts 101 and 102, as shown tat 106 in Figs. 2 and 11. As shown in Fig. 2, by the dotted line, it overhangs the upper margin of the lower sash. The lower sash is of such a height as to project upwardly above the top of the lower inner runways defined by the box like configuration hereinabove discussed.

The lower outer window sash L94 exhibits a sash which is of extruded metal construction. The upper sash U94 is also provided with similar sash rails. The bottom rail thereof is shown as having grooved side walls 108110 of its groove so spaced that they are received over the upper rail of the lower sash L94, as shown in Fig. 5. Such bottom wall is provided with an inwardly laterally projecting lip or flange 112. This flange is channel shaped in cross section opening up wardly.

The inner lower sash likewise has similar sash rails and the top rail 114 is provided with an outwardly downwardly projecting lateral lip 116 which is designed to be received within and overhang the channel 112 of the bottom rail of the upper sash U94, as shown in Fig. 5. Such cooperating engagement makes a tight seal between the upper outer sash U94 and the lower inner sash L92. This is important when the lower outer sash L94 is a screen sash, as shown in Figure 5.

The lower inner sash L92 may be elevated into position alongside of the upper outer sash U94 and its bottom rail may be received within the channel 112 to support such sash L92 in such elevated position for storage. This lower inner sash L92 is shown as having a bottom rail provided with an inwardly projecting lip 118 to facilitate its shiftahle movement.

It will be seen that the lower sash L94 seats on the outer step of the sill. The upper sash U94 is received within the channel of the header formed between the side wall 48 and the ledge 38 of such header. It will also be seen that though the upper outer sash U94 is supported normally upon the top rail of the lower outer sash L94, such upper outer sash would be supported in the elevated position even though the lower outer sash L94 were not in place. This would be true because the channel flange 112 projects inwardly sufliciently to overhang the top ends of the box like configuration which defines the lower inner runway channels. This is apparent from Fig. 5. The lower inner window sash L92 seats on the uppermost step of the sill and its lower rail bears against the flange 62 of the seal, as shown in Fig. 5.

The upper inner window sash differs from the other sashes in several respects. It is not supported for slidable movement. It is supported between the header and the lower inner window sash, as shown in Fig. 5. This upper inner window sash is here shown as having the sash rails formed of sheet metal, though such might be extruded.

This upper inner sash has a top rail indicated generally by the numeral 120. It is formed of a strip of sheet metal folded to embrace one margin of a glass pane. It is then folded upon itself to exhibit a channel shape in cross section having an outer side wall 122 and an inner side wall 124. The outer side wall is shorter than the inner side wall. Such outer side wall 122 must be received between the inner walls 104 of the upper inner runways when the sash U92 is supported as shown in Fig. 5. As shown in Fig. 6, each side wall is formed by folding the metal strip upon itself.

The lower rail of such upper inner sash U92 is likewise formed of a sheet metal strip folded to embrace the edge of the glass pane. This strip is so folded as to provide a lower rail which is downwardly channel shaped in cross section. It has an outer side wall 126 and an inner side wall 128. The inner side wall slopes outwardly as it extends downwardly so that it is adapted to overhang the top rail of the lower inner sash L92, as shown in Fig. 5. Due to such overhang, the upper inner sash U92 is supported upon the top rail of the lower inner sash L92. The side wall 128 is shorter than the side wall 126 so as to permit of its being received between the inner side walls 104 of the removable upper inner channel runways.

It will be seen therefore that when the inner upper sash U92 is supported as shown in Fig. 5, its upper channel rail has one side wall which is received within the channel of the header. The channel of the header within which it is received is defined by the downwardly projecting side walls 48 and 50 of the header. The downwardly projecting side wall 50 of the header is bent toward the side wall 48 and is tensioned so that when it is received within the channel upper rail of the sash it exerts a tension thereupon to hold such sash outwardly against the removable runways 96.

This upper sash U92 is likewise held snugly against the removable runways 96 by virtue of the fact that the flange 128 is so angularly disposed as to tend to pull the bottom of the sash toward the frame assembly, as shown in Fig. 5. It will be seen that this upper inner sash therefore is supported inwardly offset the lower sash L92 but is supported upon the top rail thereof. It is supported between the header and the top rail of the lower sash L92. It is so supported, however, that it is drawn against the outer surfaces of the removable runway 96 so as to form a tight seal therewith.

The inner sashes may be removed and rearranged as desired and certain of them may be placed in storage when not desired for use, as illustrated. The entire window assembly may be disassembled readily by first removing the upper inner sash U92. Then the removable runway sections 96 may be swung as shown in Fig. 11 and removed. Upon the removal of these runway sections 96, the remaining sashes may be taken out by first withdrawing the lower inner sash through elevating it upwardly into the header and swinging the bottom rail inwardly and removing it inwardly and downwardly over the tops of the lower inner runways defined by the box like configuration. There is suflicientclearance in the header above the upper outer sash U94 to permit it to be elevated sufficiently to be lifted oi the top rail of the lower outer sash. When so disengaged, the bottom of such upper outer sash may be swung inwardly over the upper ends of the inner lower runways formed by the box like configuration and the sash removed downwardly and inwardly. The outer lower sash may then be removed by elevating it sufficiently to bring its bottom rail to a height that it can be swung inwardly over the top of the lower inner runways as hereinabove set forth. The entire assembly may be reassembled by reversing these operations.

What I claim is:

1. A window frame assembly comprising opposed complementary jamb members each generally channel-shaped in cross section and opening away from its opposed jamb member, each member having a ledge forming a continuation of the outer side wall of said channel shape with the ledges projecting toward each other inwardly of the window opening and inwardly of the jamb faces of said members, said ledges extending for the length of said members and adapted to serve as the outer side walls of an outer sash runway channel the inner side walls of said channel-shaped jamb members defining opposed complementary runway supporting channels extending away from each other and away from the window opening, a lower sash runway generally channel shaped in cross section mounted upon the lower half of the jamb face of each jamb member and having a part disposed within the lower half of the runway supporting channel of said jamb member, said lower sash runway itself providing a runway channel for a lower inner slidable sash, and a pair of opposed complementary upper runway channels removably mounted on the upper halves of the jamb faces of said jamb members above said lower sash runways and forming runway continuations thereof, each of said upper runway'cha'nnels having a part removably received within-the upper half of the runway supporting channel of the ijamb member with which it is associated, said runway supporting channels of the jamb members gripp'ingly engaging said parts of the upper runway channels received therein, said upper removable runway channels each having a length substantially as great as the length of the lower sash runway therebelow.

2. A window frame assembly as defined in claim numbered 1 characterized in that said lower sash runways are so mounted upon the lower halves of the jamh faces of the jamb members that they are spaced inwardly from the ledges of said jamb members providing with said ledges outer lower sash runways, and the opposed complementary upper runway channels are so mounted upon the upper halvesof the jamb members that they are spaced inwardly from the ledges of said jamb members providing with said ledges outer upper sash runways.

3. Ina window frame assembly provided with a header and a sill, opposed complementary jamb members each extending continuously between the header and the sill and each being channel-shaped in cross section with the two channels opening 'away from each other, each jamb member provided with two opposed complementary pairs of adjacent parallel runways in the lower halves thereof, one pair of runways adapted to receive a lower outer sash and the other pair of runways adapted to receive a lower inner sash, the outer side Walls of the two runways for the outer sash being continuously extended throughout the upper halves of said jamb members, the inner side wall of each lower outer runway forming the outer side wall of the inner lower runway and extending throughout the lower half only of the jamb member and the inner side wall of the inner lower runway extending throughout the lower half only of the jamb member, a pair of opposed complementary runways for an upper sash removably receivable upon the upper halves of the jarnb members overlying the jamb faces thereof and forming upper runway continuations of the pair of runways for the lower inner sash, the outer side walls of said removable runways forming in cooperation with the extended side walls of the outer lower pair of runways an upper outer runway, and means cooperating with the jamb members for re movably securing said removable pair of runways in position upon the jamb members.

4-. A window assembly as defined in claim numbered 3 characterized in that said jamb members are provided throughout their upper halves with opposed complementary channels offset the sash engaging jamb faces of said members and adapted to receive flanges provided on the removable upper runways grippingly engaging the same to support said runways upon the jambfaces of the upper halves of the =jamb members, said upper removable run- Ways provided with flanges projecting in a direction-opposite to that of .the side walls of said runway channels.

,5. In a window frame-assembly provided with a header and a sill, opposed complementary jamb members extending between the header and the sill and provided with two opposedcomplementary pairs of runways in the lower halves thereof, two lower sash removably slidably supported within the lower halves of the jamb members one within each opposed complementary pair of runways thereof the outer side walls of the runways of the outer pair being extended throughout the upper halves of said jamb members, the inner side walls of each of said pairs ofrunways in the lower halves terminating in the lower halves of the jamb members, a pair of opposed cornplementary runways for an upper sash removably supported upon the upper halves of said jamb members as a continuation of the lower inner pair of runways thereof, the outer side walls of said removable .upper runways constituting the inner side walls of the outer upper pair of runways the outer walls of which are formed by said extensions of the outer walls of the lower outer pair of runways.

6. A jamb assembly for a window frame comprising: a jamb member shaped in cross section to define an outwardly opening channel with the outside face of the bottom wall forming a jamb face for a window frame; one side wall of the channel folded upon itself to proiect inwardlyof the jamb face forming a sash guide runway side wall; the other side wall of the-channel folded upon itself to form a lip receiving channel opening inwardly of the jamb face with the walls tensioned toward each other; a sash runway .element having a lip portion and a sash guide runway channel portion; the inner wall of which channel is a continuation of the lip, the channel portion of said element adapted to overlie the jamb face with the lip portion grippingly received within the lip receiving channeltand with thetouter side wall of the channel portion cooperating with the sash guide runway side wall of the jamb member to form a sash guide runway.

References Cited in the .file of this patent v UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,628,678 Webster Feb. 17, 195.3

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